The heart is the quintessential Valentine’s Day symbol.  (And yes, these are all brooches or clips.) These examples (either vintage or using vintage components) say it with juicy red rhinestones and clear accents. I am intrigued by the sword-pierced heart with dripping blood droplets. My guess is it is from the 1950s or 60s and it’s pretty dark and subversive for the time. It’s signed Kaywin NY, and the company operated from the 1930s as Kaywin Novelty before becoming Kaywin NY (and its founders later went on to start jewelry company Florenza). For more info about marks and vintage jewelry, please see the excellent resource at Illusion Jewels.

On this February 14, wishing you all a day filled with a less visceral approach to the holiday!